Green Hotel Goes For Gold

A building which forms part of the Duchy of Lancaster’s historic Harrogate estate has been awarded a Gold Award by sustainability body Green Tourism. The Cairn Hotel on Ripon Road is the first hotel in Harrogate to have achieved this – the highest standard of excellence achievable.

Green Tourism works with accommodation providers and visitor attractions across the country, encouraging sustainability, energy and water efficiency, efficient waste management, environmental biodiversity and ethical business practices.

The citation for this year’s Award calls the Cairn Hotel ‘inspirational’ and ‘outstanding’ and states that the hotel has been rewarded for:

• Achieving the highest standards of sustainability with a strong, broad ethos and excellent practices throughout
• Using the latest technologies, from LED lighting to efficient boilers and renewables
• Efficient control of resource use and demonstrating effective monitoring with targets for savings
• Green procurement, including sustainable fish/meat sources, a range of ethical products and working with local suppliers to provide fresh, local and often organic items
• Changes in working practices, bringing significant benefits to the business, community and supply chain.

Built on land which has been part of the ancient Duchy inheritance since 1372, the original building was converted into a hotel in the late nineteenth century when visits to Harrogate’s famous spa waters were at their most popular. It was then privately run as an independent concern until 1996 when it became part of the Strathmore Group. The Duchy of Lancaster has retained the freehold throughout.

The Strathmore Group has recently started a programme of repair works designed to protect and preserve the fabric of the building while improving its energy performance.
Commenting on the Award, Duchy Head of Urban Mike Andrews said: “It is particularly impressive for a historic building which is 127 years old to have been awarded the Gold standard. I would like to congratulate everyone involved on this really excellent achievement.”

Green Tourism is recognised by UK national and regional government as a crucial part of its drive towards sustainable tourism. The organisation is independently validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) on behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is endorsed by both VisitScotland and Failte Ireland.